NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic jet completed its first flight with landing gear retracted on April 3, 2026, from Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Piloted by test pilot Jim “Clue” Less, the 90-minute subsonic sortie reached 20,000 feet and 460 mph, enabling evaluation of the aircraft’s full aerodynamic profile.
This milestone exposes the X-59’s streamlined shape, critical for producing a quiet thump instead of a loud sonic boom at Mach 1.42 cruise at 55,000 feet. Developed by Lockheed Martin under NASA’s Quesst mission, the aircraft aims to provide data supporting regulatory changes for overland supersonic flight.
The flight marks the ninth in the envelope expansion campaign, following the maiden subsonic sortie on October 28, 2025, from Air Force Plant 42. With gear up, engineers can now assess performance closer to operational supersonic conditions, accelerating validation of low-boom technology.
Prior tests confirmed electromagnetic compatibility of onboard systems like radios and sensors. The X-59 incorporates T-38 cockpit elements, F-16 landing gear, and an enhanced vision system to offset limited forward visibility, positioning it as a key enabler for future commercial supersonic travel.